The Perfect Weekend Getaway

 

The island of the Dominican Republic offers everything from a history lesson to a day at the beach. The capital city of Santo Domingo and its surrounding areas are the perfect Caribbean city retreat for those looking for a relaxing weekend with friends. Dance the Merengue in a hotel club, relax and sip Pina Coladas at the nearby Boca Chica beaches or  Shop in one of the largest shopping centers in the Caribbean. It is all available and less than 4 hours away from most major airports along the East Coast.

 We have provided several stories and pictures of things to do and see during a visit to Santo Domingo. Click on any of the story links to learn more.

Destination Highlights

A Day at the Beach - Though these travelers stayed in the colonial zone they still were able to spend the day at the Resort  in Boca Chica. Hear about this day of sun, drinks and fun at this all-inclusive island resort.

Under it all - Ever eaten in a cave? El Meson de la Cava in Santo Domingo provides fine dining in a unique atmosphere. Serving international cuisine it was perfect for a special occasion dinner.

Shop Til You Drop - Acropolis Mall offers the perfect shopping experience in Santo Domingo for true shoppers!

Party Time! - Our partners at TheBlackTraveler.com have provided a great story for those looking for insight into a little Santo Domingo nightlife.

The Beginning of the Americas - When Columbus landed he actually arrived in what is now the Dominican Republic. Learn more about the many firsts for Europeans in this hemisphere.

The Pictures Tell It Better - See pics from this Caribbean destination in our video highlight!

All this will hopefully inspire you to add Santo Domingo to your list of destinations to Escape Together soon!

The Lovely Napa Valley

I have dreamed of becoming a wine connoisseur for a long time. After deciding that the first leg of our honeymoon would be three days in Napa Valley, CA, my husband and I began to study up on the best wineries to visit, the types of wines we enjoy, and the different varieties of grapes that exist. Having only been to one wine tasting ever, we were afraid of not knowing enough about wines while visiting the vineyards. Well, let me tell you that every place that we visited in Napa was amazing and we were never made to feel stupid about not knowing enough about wine. Actually, it was the complete opposite. Everyone we met was so friendly and when we showed a sincere interest in learning about wine, they were eager to share their knowledge with us. The wineries we visited were as follows:

 

 

Del Dotto Caves and Historic Winery - Napa Valley

Hess Collection - Napa Valley

Signorello - Napa Valley

Sawyer Cellars - Napa Valley

Pina - Napa Valley

Darioush - Napa Valley

Peju Province - Napa Valley

My husband and I wanted to steer clear of the super touristy wineries and instead visited the more boutique-y wineries where you can have a better learning and tasting experience. We loved each winery we visited and each had it’s own vibe and flavor. We toured caves, picked grapes, met people from all over the country, snacked on cheese, conversed with winery owners, all while tasting amazing red and white wines.

 

The great thing about visiting Napa, is that there is something to do for everyone. Located along highway 29, Napa is breathtakingly beautiful and so close to several other cute towns which have great shopping, sites to see, and places to dine. We rented a car with navigation, which I highly recommend doing, and drove along the Silverado Trail, which runs parallel to 29 and is less congested. We visited Yountville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Each town was distinctly different and lovely.

If you love wine, delicious California cuisine, shopping, and spending time outside in perfect weather, Napa Valley is for you. We’re already planning our next trip!

What Happens in Vegas…

From relaxing in the spa to eating at some of the best restaurants and staying in some of the most interesting hotels in the world…Its all available in Vegas! This city in the desert is much more than just a destination for gambling and buffets. In this month’s destination highlight we show you the many sides of Sin City and give you ideas to plan a unique getaway.

Destination Highlights…

• Recently Renovated is a Relative Term - See our review of the Luxor
• The Relaxing Side of Vegas - From spa services, midnight mani/pedi’s and poolside cabana rentals we tell you how to see another side of Vegas other than gambling, clubs and nightlife.
• Boutique at the Palms - See a review of the newest Palms property by our partners at TheBlackTraveler.com
• Photo Gallery - Photos from Vegas including hotel, restaurant and other sites